Raine

When I was in the hospital, I ate all my Jello and 2 sf ice pops on day 3. No problem, felt no restriction at all. Those are considered liquids though and since day 2 I have never had a problem with Water and like liquids. Protein shakes were a different story, when I got home it would take me 2 hours to drink an 11oz shake. By two weeks I was drinking them in an hour, by 3 weeks 1/2 hour after that maybe 15 minutes. I am 6 months out now and I eat like a "normal" person now.

ouroborous is absolutely correct. I read through my research too, that spot reduction is a myth. My stomach is my worst part, I do plank and crunches and feel the muscles tightening up underneath, but the fat won't go until my body says its ready to go. About three weeks ago I went and bought some new pants because I absolutely had no choice, they were a size 10 (yay me!) 3 weeks later and I need a belt. l only lost 2 pouhds in that time but I am sure if I went shopping again (which I wont for at least another month) I could probably get into an 8 comfortably (yay me again!). I guess my body said ok, we'll let some of that belly fat go now. Who the frig knows. I just keep at it and keep trying and 1 pound here 1 pound there and I am happy. Eventually my tummy will look like a deflated balloon LOL either way you just have to keep at it and keep going, no matter how frustratingly maddening it is .

I agree the stalls are horrible and play havoc on your brain. Stick with it and you will be ok!

I found that I appreciated and savored the taste of food now too. Isn't it amazing

Wow, amazing transformation!

You look absolutely wonderful!

Sarah, I can't tell you how happy I am for you!!! Ok, I can! I am sooooooo happy for you You and Jes were the first people I talked to on here and you guys were calling me a light weight hahha, well look who is the light weight now! Congratulations, you look wonderful.

My hair started falling out a little bit in month 4, a bit more month 5 and now in month 6 it feels like its coming out by the handful. Alot of it in the front. I posted pics and you can see how thin it is there. I exptect it to slow down soon which is good, but hair hair everywhere! I'll tell you, every night at dinner time I look at my plate and there is a damn hair sitting in my food! The saving grace is that its almost over with.

THANKS!!! I am having so much fun with the new clothes I bought and the old ones that I had that I either never fit in or never looked just right. I think if I went shopping again I could probably fit into an 8 now because all the pants I bought just 2-3 weeks ago, I need a belt LOL. Not going to do it though for at least another month, so for the time being, belt it is and besides its fun to see how many notches I have to cinch it to. My out look on everything in my life right now is "right". I look forward to the future, I look forward to my continuing health, I look forward to my son growing up, I look forward to becoming a Nana some day (hopefully not for quite a few years yet!), I look forward to becoming old and gray sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair with my hubby holding hands, drinking tea, as corny as that sounds. The best part about it all is that I can look forward where as pre sleeve the here and now was killing me to the point that I didn't "see" a future. Thank you all for all the words of encouragement to me and to eachother. I can't tell you how many times I read something and thought, yup I'm going through that too and see the replies and get a new perspective on things.

You had a good day today didn't you, my friend? So did I. Always remember, we all did this for a better life for ourselves and our loved ones and with each inch and each pound we are that much closer!!!

Thanks, guys. I felt so good today, I made my co worker take a picture of me LOL.

This is me today I love the Fall weather and the clothes that come with it! Loved, loved the outfit I wore today. 173lbs, 18 more to go to goal ....

hahaha yeah you made me look, and I didn't mind one bit! Can't wait to see pics of her when she arrives!

My body looks like a crazy road map!! It is what it is, nothing I can do about it.

So happy for you Apple! Mine was at 11.1 too in August 2010 and in August 2011 it was 5.5. Isn't it amazing!!!

Mine first stall was at 4 weeks and lasted 4 weeks.

Hahaha the story of my post op life! I have gotten used to it at this point though. I look at it like this if it isn't going up thats a good thing. Regardless of how long it takes, I'll get there because I didn't cut out 85% of my stomach not too!!!

You look absolutely freaking amazing! Congratulations on getting to your goal.

haha isnt that just the best???? I do it now just cause I can.

That is wonderful. It makes this process that much easier when our significant others are so supportive of us. Congratulations, this has got to be one of my favorite NSV's.

Oh, Coops! I am so sorry you are going through all that. It SUX A BIG FAT WARTED ONE!!!! Ok, so your leg and foot is out of commission. Get a couple of 5 lb weights or arm resistance bands. I have the resistance bands and they are amazing for the arms and back. Crunches, girl! I'm also wondering if calenetics that Diva does would be good for you because it is no impact and lots of stretching. I have a bony booty too. Well basically, I have zero booty LOL. The chairs in my kitchen are wood so you can imagine how they feel when you sit, so I put one of those big throw pillows on it and sit on that. Makes it so much more comfortable. You vent all you want, when ever you want for how long you want!!! We are here for you and if I could I would give a great big hug right now. Stay strong lady.

What is the brand of totilla? Sounds great!

There are some really good recipies online about sweet mashed potatoes. I had them when I was on mushies. Really tasty. I wouldn't worry about the cals or carbs just yet, just worry about your hydration. The mushies are used to get your tummy used to having something in it besides liquids again.

Another idea is consignment shops, the clothes there tend to be a bit nicer and they are still affordable. I am doing the seasonal thing. In the beginning of the summer I bought three pairs of pants that fit me and now at the end of the summer and a few skirts I had from when I lost weight before. They are all too big now, but not so big that they look ridiculous. I just recently went out and bought some more for the fall and winter. I like Marshals too, because you can get some really good prices, I just bought 2 pairs of capri's on sale for 8.50 each in black and a stoney like black/grey that I can wear with flats until it gets cold and then I can also wear them with boots in the winter. I also just bought 3 pairs of pants, none over 16.99. Each pair has belt loops so that when the start to get a little baggy I can still wear them without having to hike them up. I have to dress decently for work so it was a must buy. That cost me a total of about 70 bucks for all 5 pairs. I went to a consignment store for shirts and got 5 button up shirts for 25.00. So now I am set for the winter with clothes for work and I didn't spend over 100.00. I have jeans that I saved, thank goodness LOL and I have sweaters from last year that are pretty generic that I will be washing in hot water and then running through the dryer a couple of times to shrink them. Hopefully that will work out well. I won't go shopping again until February or March for stuff for the spring and summer again.

I went to buy a new one today, the one I had was Haines 2x. They only had a 1x and I wanted to get just a large, well frankly because I want it to shape LOL.